KEENE, Texas – The Dallas Christian College women's basketball team grabbed another convincing victory over Southwestern Adventist University, 86-61, on Saturday night. In similar fashion to the team's first pair of meetings this season, DCC dominated out of the gate in the first quarter and was able to maintain a double-digit advantage throughout.
This game was the first one to count toward the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association (NCCAA) record, as the Crusaders improved to 3-4 and won for the 18
th time. One of their wins was a forfeit by Randall University, so this is actually DCC's first conference win since the opener on December 1 at Manhattan Christian College.
The four setbacks have come to Top 10 ranked opponents in Champion Christian, Ozark Christian (2), and Arlington Baptist University.
Southwestern Adventist moved to 1-14 overall and are 0-5 in conference. These teams will meet again for the second of four overall meetings at Dallas Christian on February 8 at 5:30 p.m.
DCC now has scored a combined 86 points (28, 31, and 27) in the first 10 minutes of its three outings with the Knights. The Crusaders would outscore the Knights 25-3 in the final 6:52 minutes of the opening frame en route to a 27-12 lead. The Crusaders carried a 48-27 advantage into halftime thanks to a 21-15 second quarter. They would use a 24-20 edge in the third quarter to stay out in front. The lone frame the Crusaders did not reach at least 20 points in a quarter nor outscored the Knights was the fourth with each side putting in 14.
BOX SCORE: (Listed on SW' Adventist until stats can be embedded)
Keiarra Rivers earned a double-double for the fourth consecutive game with 15 points and 14 rebounds. The Manor, Texas, native, shot 6-for-14 overall with a three pointer, and hit both her free throws. Nine of her rebounds were offensive and she added a trio of assists and steals.
Amber Covington was the team leader in scoring with 20 points, which she achieved double-digits in the scoring column for the seventh straight contest. The recently named DCC Student-Athlete Spotlight was 7-for-16 on the field and made all six free throws to help the Crusaders be a perfect 10-for-10 overall. Covington added three steals, but the season leader on the boards was quiet with four.
Naiya Brown rounded out the trio of players in the starting five with double figures in scoring with 12 points. She led the team with four assists and had six rebounds to go with a pair of steals.
Leia Twine led the bench with 12 points, going 5-for-7 from the field and 2-for-3 from the three-point arc.
14 players saw action on the floor tonight, with everyone seeing at least four minutes. Other statistical standout individuals were
Mckayla Washington with eight points and a team-best four steals. Joining the above mentioned Rivers and Covington in thefts was Courtney Locke with three. The Crusaders compiled 21 steals overall.
Faith Salinas was second on the team on the glass with eight rebounds, including five on the offensive side.
Journie Hilliard contributed six points from the reserves, who contributed 29 overall.
Both teams shot around the same percentage from the field with DCC at 34.7 percent and SW' Adventist at 33.3 percent. The Crusaders managed to attempt 101 shot attempts, which meant they were generating several extra possessions from rebounds (62) and turnovers by the Knights (35).
DCC dominated the box score in most team stats. What advantages stood out included: a 34-12 edge in points off turnovers, 23-4 edge on second chance points, and 56-20 edge on points in the paint.
The Knights did hit nine treys compared to six by the guests. Sarah Valderrama was the leading scorer for the game with 22 points and was one rebound shy of a double-double. Yunis Balboa added 14 points from the bench.
WORTH NOTING
The Crusaders surpassed 60 rebounds for the second time this campaign and were one shy of the season-best 63 versus Texas College (11/18/21).
DCC did set a team-best in terms of offensive rebounds with 31. However, this was the third game on the season for the team to eclipse 30 boards. It achieved that twice with North American University (11/12/21) and Texas College (11/18/21).
Covington recorded exactly 20 points to lead the Crusaders offensively in both outings at Southwestern Adventist's home court this year.
Brown has achieved double-digit scoring performances in all three head-to-head matchups with the Knights this season.
UP NEXT
Dallas Christian added an away game with some recent forfeits to keep the team fresh on the floor. The team will have Cedar Valley on Monday, February 7. Tip-off is slated at 6 p.m.
"Dallas Christian educates and mentors students to be people of influence engaging in their calling to the work of Christ in the church and in the world."
